Mexico Army Kills ‘El Mencho’, Notorious Drug Lord Who Evaded Arrest for Years
Mexico City:
Mexican security forces have killed Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, better known as El Mencho, the elusive chief of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), in a major military operation in the western state of Jalisco. Authorities confirmed that Cervantes, 59, died after being wounded in a clash with soldiers, marking one of the biggest blows to organised crime in Mexico in recent years.
El Mencho, long regarded as Mexico’s most dangerous drug lord, had evaded capture for over a decade despite being one of the world’s most wanted criminals. The United States had placed a reward of up to $15 million for information leading to his arrest.
How the Operation Unfolded
According to the Mexican Secretariat of National Defence, the operation took place in Tapalpa, a town in Jalisco where the cartel originated. During the raid, troops came under heavy fire. Four cartel members were killed at the site, while three others — including Oseguera Cervantes — were wounded and later died while being transported for medical treatment.
Security forces also arrested two suspects and seized armoured vehicles, rocket launchers, and a large cache of weapons. Three soldiers were injured and are reported to be in stable condition.
A Cartel Leader Who Operated With Impunity
For years, El Mencho managed to avoid arrest by allegedly bribing local officials and securing political protection. In 2015, as security forces closed in on him, CJNG fighters shot down a military helicopter with a rocket-propelled grenade, allowing him to escape — an incident that underscored the cartel’s firepower and reach.
Born in Aguililla in the neighbouring state of Michoacán, Oseguera Cervantes had been involved in drug trafficking since the 1990s. He once lived in the United States, where he was convicted of heroin distribution in 1994 before returning to Mexico and rising rapidly within the criminal underworld.
Violence Erupts After His Death
The killing of El Mencho triggered swift retaliation from cartel operatives. Several hours of unrest followed, with burning vehicles used as roadblocks across parts of Jalisco. Videos circulating online showed smoke rising near the tourist city of Puerto Vallarta, while panic scenes were reported at airports and highways.
Flight operations to and from Puerto Vallarta were temporarily suspended, and public transport was halted in parts of Guadalajara. Authorities urged residents to remain indoors as security operations continued.
International Impact and US Reaction
The operation is being seen as a major success for the Mexican government amid mounting pressure from the United States to crack down on fentanyl trafficking. Officials confirmed that US intelligence support played a role, though no American troops were involved.
Senior US officials welcomed the development, describing El Mencho as one of the most ruthless traffickers responsible for flooding international markets with fentanyl, cocaine, and methamphetamines.
Who Was El Mencho?
Under El Mencho’s leadership, the CJNG grew into one of the most violent and sophisticated criminal organisations in the world, rivaling the Sinaloa cartel. The group is known for using military-grade weapons, deploying drones with explosives, and launching direct attacks on security forces.
The cartel has a presence across Mexico and in all 50 US states, according to US authorities, and generates billions of dollars annually through narcotics trafficking.
What Comes Next
While the death of El Mencho is being hailed as a landmark victory against organised crime, experts warn that it could also lead to internal power struggles and renewed violence as rival factions compete for control.
The Mexican government has vowed to maintain heightened security and prevent further escalation, even as the country grapples with the long-term challenge of dismantling powerful drug cartels.
